Nationals' Gonzalez has fond memories of Oakland

Updated 11:38 pm, Saturday, May 10, 2014

When Gio Gonzalezleft the A's after the 2011 season, traded to the Nationals, it was clear he was on the cusp of stardom.

He went on to win 21 games in 2012, making his second All-Star team, and he's 35-18 with a 3.10 ERA in his two-plus seasons with Washington. But Gonzalez hasn't forgotten where he got his start.

"This is where I broke through," Gonzalez said Saturday, mentioning the A's major-league and minor-league pitching coaches as instrumental. "Curt Young, Ron Romanick, Rick Rodriguez, those guys helped make me the major-league pitcher I am today. I have some fantastic memories of Oakland, things I'll never forget."

Gonzalez, who will face his old team Sunday, still pays attention to what the A's are doing, and he said he was reminded when he got to town that when Josh Donaldsonmade his first start in a big-league game it was behind the plate, catching Gonzalez, on May 1, 2010.

"Look at him now," Gonzalez said with a smile. "He's going to be an All-Star third baseman. He's good.

"Their whole lineup is impressive, one through nine. They're going to be tough to tame, but I'm going to try."

O'Flaherty OK: Eric O'Flaherty threw to hitters for the first time since his 2013 Tommy John surgery, and the left-hander said, "It went great."

O'Flaherty threw 20 pitches, all fastballs, to Daric Bartonand Jake Elmore, and his next time out, Tuesday, he is likely to incorporate his slider. He could head out on a rehab assignment soon thereafter, perhaps when the A's are on their next road trip.

O'Flaherty is eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list at the end of the month, but sometime in June appears more likely. His addition will be significant, similar to making an in-season trade, because O'Flaherty is one of the best relievers in the game. His 1.45 ERA over his past three seasons is the lowest among big-league relievers with at least 120 innings in that span.

Briefly: The A's called up left-hander Joe Saveryon Friday, but the reliever could be on paternity leave soon. His wife, Jennifer, is expecting their first child, a boy, any day. ... Manager Bob Melvinsaid that Coco Crisp(neck) won't play on Sunday and there is a chance that Crisp won't be available for the White Sox series this week. Crisp has 11 career homers against Chicago, tied for his most against any team.

On deck

Sunday

vs. Nationals

1:05 p.m. CSNCA

Gonzalez (3-2) vs. Kazmir (4-1)

Monday

vs. White Sox

7:05 p.m. CSNCA

Danks (3-2) vs. Chavez (2-1)

Tuesday

vs. White Sox

7:05 p.m. CSNCA

Carroll (1-2) vs.

Pomeranz (2-1)

Leading off

Think pink: Sunday is Breast Cancer Awareness Day at the Coliseum, and more than 350 local breast cancer survivors will form a ribbon on the field before the game. Sales of pins, hats, pink jerseys, heart ribbon pendants and raffle tickets for an A's autographed quilt will benefit the American Cancer Society.

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